WILD TURKEY AND DEER SHOOTING. 243 



plainer, than I could by day. The thunder-claps 

 were so heavy that it appeared as if they would 

 split my head open. For more than an hour 

 the storm kept on. Then it abated almost as 

 suddenly as it came, and I soon went to sleep 

 again. This was the heaviest thunder-storm I ever 

 experienced. 1 was more in fear during that hour 

 than 1 ever was before, or than I have been since. 

 What with the horse and the dogs and myself 

 altogether in a group, the bright tires of the wheels, 

 and the steel locks and barrels of my gun, the 

 danger must have been great. But, blessed be 

 God, it was averted ! 



In the morning the dogs rose refreshed, as I did 

 myself. They worked well. The scent lay thick 

 on the wet ground, and I never shot better. 1 

 killed forty-three grouse before the sun got very 

 high in the forenoon, and returned home with a 

 large bag of very fine birds. 



When men camp out with a tent without a 

 stove, and they keep a large fire in front of the 

 tent, as they will be sure to do in cold weather, 

 there is considerable danger that their canvas 

 may take fire. I have had three tents burned up. 

 A change of wind during the night may blow 

 glowing embers right up to the canvas, and set 



